| 58874 | 58873 | Chile | A bit green and ashy, with aromas of green bean, green tobacco and bell pepper. It's not over-the-top vegetal, but it does deal plenty of green bean and celery in addition to tangerine. As a whole it's wet and easy on the palate, but it doesn't have the clarity of flavor and pure fruit that we're seeking from Leyda and Chile as a whole. | Reserva | 85 | 14 | Leyda Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Terra Andina 2008 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Leyda Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Terra Andina |
| 58875 | 58874 | Chile | Slightly sweet and powdery smelling, with simple creaminess to the orange-influenced nose. The palate is solid and plump, with basic citrus flavors that shouldn't steer you wrong. Nice feel and a good but regular finish seal the deal. | Puerto Viejo Reserve | 85 | 10 | Curicó Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Viña Requingua 2008 Puerto Viejo Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (Curicó Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Viña Requingua |
| 58876 | 58875 | Chile | Easygoing on the nose, with light melon and green-fruit aromas. Yet it's crisp in the mouth, but sort of choppy and tart as well. The wine is refreshing but short and linear, as if some of the pulp and power were siphoned off. What's left is fresh and lasting, but a little weak in flavor. | Winemaker's Selection | 85 | 10 | Rapel Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Yali 2008 Winemaker's Selection Sauvignon Blanc (Rapel Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Yali |
| 58877 | 58876 | South Africa | This unoaked white offers rounded tropical fruit aromas and flavors like pineapple, melon and pear. The style is straightforward and exuberant, with balanced acidity and a fruity, lush finish. Keep on the table for everyday enjoyment. | | 85 | 10 | Western Cape | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Fairvalley 2008 Chenin Blanc (Western Cape) | Chenin Blanc | Fairvalley |
| 58878 | 58877 | South Africa | An elegant white with a nose that combines zippy citrus, minerals and a touch of guava. The palate offers clean and spritzy character with a wave of rounding tropical fruit and a spin of spice. Pair with spicy food—think Indian or Thai. | | 85 | 10 | Western Cape | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Fleur Du Cap 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Western Cape) | Sauvignon Blanc | Fleur Du Cap |
| 58879 | 58878 | France | Cedar, red cherries and woodsy mineral notes make for a fairly complex opening. The palate is crisp, with lovely tar and leather notes framed by soft tannins that persist on the moderately long finish. An elegant choice to accompany steak. | | 85 | 9 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | | | Fortant 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Fortant |
| 58880 | 58879 | Chile | A little soft and heavy on the nose, which conveys a sense of overripeness. In the mouth, it's not overly heavy but it is sort of chunky as flavors of apple and citrus brush up against mealy but then draw back to a fresher place. Finishes mild, with only a modicum of acidity. Drink soon for best results. | | 85 | 12 | Maipo Valley | | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Haras 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Maipo Valley) | Sauvignon Blanc | Haras |
| 58881 | 58880 | New Zealand | A medium-bodied, dark-fruited Pinot, the 2007 from Allan Scott features some compost-like notes to go with smoke, cola and coffee aromas and flavors. It doesn't lack for flavor but rather for elegance, coming across as a bit chunky. | | 84 | | Marlborough | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Allan Scott 2007 Pinot Noir (Marlborough) | Pinot Noir | Allan Scott |
| 58882 | 58881 | South Africa | An elegant, perfumed nose of white flowers and crisp fruit is followed by light, flirty flavors of honey, gooseberry and lemon. Soft and simple, the wine has a pretty quality and a good balance of fruit and acidity. | Oak Lane | 84 | 9 | Stellenbosch | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Beau Joubert 2008 Oak Lane Chenin Blanc-Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch) | Chenin Blanc-Sauvignon Blanc | Beau Joubert |
| 58883 | 58882 | France | Six months in oak barrels have given the nose of this wine a lovely overlay of mocha and coffee on top of the cherry fruit. Raspberry flavors dominate the mouth while vanilla and strawberry linger on the finish. Lush acidity and only the barest remnant of tannin make this a good choice forwhite fish in a fruit-based sauce. | dA Reserve | 84 | 10 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | | | Domaines Astruc 2007 dA Reserve Pinot Noir (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Pinot Noir | Domaines Astruc |
| 58884 | 58883 | South Africa | Two Oceans offers a friendly, vibrant sip with this Sauvignon Blanc. Tropical fruit, gooseberry, some straw on the nose and simple, fresh citrus and fleshy tropical fruit flavors give the wine complexity. A fun white with some heft. | | 84 | 9 | Western Cape | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Two Oceans 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Western Cape) | Sauvignon Blanc | Two Oceans |
| 58885 | 58884 | US | A nice everyday Cabernet, with a simple structure framing blackberry, currant and chocolate flavors. From Forth. | Chapter 1 | 84 | 17 | California | Mendocino | | | | histoire 2006 Chapter 1 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendocino) | Cabernet Sauvignon | histoire |
| 58886 | 58885 | France | A top choice in a generally weak category, this Pinot shows pretty strawberry and raspberry scents that yield to earth and cherry flavors in the mouth. The palate is well balanced and followed by a strawberry-infused finish. Although this wine shows quite a bit of promise, some slightly gummy notes on the nose and palate preclude a higher score at this time. | | 84 | 10 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | | | Little Black Dress 2006 Pinot Noir (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Pinot Noir | Little Black Dress |
| 58887 | 58886 | US | Lusty and rustic, this Petite Sirah has full-bodied flavors of berry-cherry jam, chocolate and spice. The tannins are rich, suggesting char-broiled steaks and chops. | The Heritage Collection | 84 | 12 | California | Lodi | Central Valley | | | Peirano 2006 The Heritage Collection Petite Sirah (Lodi) | Petite Sirah | Peirano |
| 58888 | 58887 | US | Soft and sweet, this Merlot has a rustic mouthfeel framing jammy flavors of blackberries, cherries, chocolate and leather. Seems at its best now. | | 84 | 22 | California | Sonoma County | Sonoma | | | St. Francis 2005 Merlot (Sonoma County) | Merlot | St. Francis |
| 58889 | 58888 | France | Simple earthy notes interspersed with faint cherry aromas open this pleasant, good-value Pinot Noir from the south of France. The blueberry-flavored palate shows riper fruit than is typical for Burgundy and may appeal to those who find California Pinots to be a bit overwhelming. Tannins are in abundance here but are fine enough not to interfere with tuna or swordfish in a delicate sauce. | | 84 | 10 | Languedoc-Roussillon | Vin de Pays d'Oc | | | | Gala Rouge 2006 Pinot Noir (Vin de Pays d'Oc) | Pinot Noir | Gala Rouge |
| 58890 | 58889 | France | Hints of dried pear and apple appear on the nose and suggest subtlety but the palate does otherwise: it comes in with bright citrus freshness, recalling lemon oil and candied lemon peel. This is absolutely dry and very sprightly, lively and even exuberant. There is great depth of fruit here that will just evolve. Drink 2017—2030. | Vieilles Vignes | 93 | 20 | Alsace | Alsace | | Anne Krebiehl MW | @AnneInVino | Domaine Jean Sipp 2013 Vieilles Vignes Riesling (Alsace) | Riesling | Domaine Jean Sipp |
| 58861 | 58860 | Italy | Here's a light and easy Chardonnay with clean mineral notes backed by dried hay, sage, stone fruit and honey. The wine has good density and length and ends on a spicy, fresh note. | | 86 | 12 | Southern Italy | Puglia | | | | Tormaresca 2007 Chardonnay (Puglia) | Chardonnay | Tormaresca |
| 58862 | 58861 | Italy | Clove, cardamom and cumin appear as pretty accents over a thick base of fruity cassis and blackberry. There are aromas of cigar and roasted chestnut in there as well and the wine offers dried herbs and chopped mint on the finish. | D'istinto | 86 | 13 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Calatrasi 2005 D'istinto Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Calatrasi |
| 58863 | 58862 | Italy | Smoky tones of ripe blackberry and raspberry set the stage and offer sweet, caramel-like flavors along the way. Background aromas include dried herbs and black olive and the wine ends with a fresh, menthol-like finish. | | 86 | 18 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Cantine Barbera 2007 Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Cantine Barbera |
| 58864 | 58863 | US | The blend is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Petit Verdot, and the PV takes over the bouquet with bright floral aromas. There is some boysenberry fruit, with a strong herbal streak, and the tannins are slightly green and very astringent; the fruit seems buried in contrast. | Equilibré Red Wine | 86 | 25 | Washington | Columbia Valley (WA) | Columbia Valley | Paul Gregutt | @paulgwine | Couvillion Winery 2006 Equilibré Red Wine Red (Columbia Valley (WA)) | Red Blend | Couvillion Winery |
| 58865 | 58864 | Italy | Here's a beautifully well-balanced but easy Nero d'Avola that does a very good job of expressing the natural flavors of this native Sicilian grape. The wine's aromas include roasted almond, pistachio and black currant. It delivers power and strength that are both valuable assets if you plan to drink it with stews or roasted meat. | | 86 | 8 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Feudo Arancio 2006 Nero d'Avola (Sicilia) | Nero d'Avola | Feudo Arancio |
| 58866 | 58865 | Italy | Thick and dense, this modern Chardonnay delivers a surprisingly soft and feminine side that comes across in the form of dried herbs, hay, pretty nuances of yellow rose and honeysuckle. The wine shows its masculine side in the mouth, however, where it tastes thick and succulent. | | 86 | 15 | Sicily & Sardinia | Sicilia | | | | Feudo Principi di Butera 2007 Chardonnay (Sicilia) | Chardonnay | Feudo Principi di Butera |
| 58867 | 58866 | Argentina | Floral and clean on the nose, with good red fruit and cherry flavors. By no means is this a fat-styled, extracted Malbec. Instead it's fresh and crisp, but tasty and pretty well balanced, especially if there's some food along for the ride. Imported by USA Wine Imports. | Colección | 86 | 11 | Mendoza Province | Mendoza | | Michael Schachner | @wineschach | Finca Los Maza 2005 Colección Malbec (Mendoza) | Malbec | Finca Los Maza |
| 58868 | 58867 | US | Lush, round and flavorful, this Cab pleases for its array of fruit. Made in a soft, gentle style, its blackberry, currant, cherry and cocoa flavors finish in a swirl of sweet anise and pepper. | | 86 | 12 | California | Central Coast | Central Coast | | | Red Truck 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Coast) | Cabernet Sauvignon | Red Truck |
| 58869 | 58868 | US | Barrel-fermented, this Sauvignon Blanc has a rich, creamy mouthfeel. Smoky notes of vanilla and sweet oak frame flavors of lemons and limes, figs, pineapples and cinnamon sugar. | Estate | 86 | 19 | California | Rutherford | Napa | | | Sawyer 2006 Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Rutherford) | Sauvignon Blanc | Sawyer |
| 58870 | 58869 | US | This Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul blend may be technically dry, but it's so rich in fruity extract, it tastes almost as sweet as an off-dry dessert wine. Yet the acidity is refreshing, giving balance to the peach pie, apricot, pineapple jam, vanilla and honeysuckle flavors. | Esprit de Beaucastel | 86 | 40 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Tablas Creek 2006 Esprit de Beaucastel White (Paso Robles) | Rhône-style White Blend | Tablas Creek |
| 58871 | 58870 | US | Tastes a bit on the sweet, sugary side, but with the crisp acidity, it's balanced and elegant. The cherry, raspberry, lemongrass, vanilla, peppery spice and smoky wood flavors will work well against Thai or Vietnamese fare. | | 86 | 27 | California | Paso Robles | Central Coast | | | Tablas Creek 2007 Rosé (Paso Robles) | Rosé | Tablas Creek |
| 58872 | 58871 | Germany | An obvious, fruity kabinett, with ample body and off-dry character, Ehlen's 2007 Erdener Treppchen boasts ripe melon aromas and flavors underscored by hints of nectarine and a squirt of citrus. | Erdener Treppchen Kabinett | 85 | 22 | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer | | | Joe Czerwinski | @JoeCz | Stephan Ehlen 2007 Erdener Treppchen Kabinett Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer) | Riesling | Stephan Ehlen |
| 58873 | 58872 | South Africa | With a nose of soft floral notes, this Chardonnay is pretty on the palate too—floral, fruity with a touch of spice. Though not terribly complex, the wine has a fun and delicate character that gives it solo sipping appeal. | | 85 | 13 | Western Cape | | | Susan Kostrzewa | @suskostrzewa | Swaii 2007 Chardonnay (Western Cape) | Chardonnay | Swaii |